Packing Tips: Living / Family Room

The living room packing tips we provide will work for any of your larger main rooms in the house, whether it be family rooms or great rooms. Stereo equipment, books, lamps, and furniture all may be items you have in your living room. Our list for living room packing tips will teach you how to pack each of those components securely and appropriately.

Packing Tips for the Living Room

Stereo Equipment

On compact and digital video disc players, secure the laser with transport screws
located on the bottom or back of the unit.

Most turntables have a plastic lock which should be used to hold the tone arm in
place. For additional protection, you may tie a piece of string around the arm in
case the lock does not hold. Also, secure the platter (where the records are placed)
by tightening the appropriate screws. These are usually located on top of the turntable,
but check your owner's manual if in doubt.

Speakers

Pack speakers in well-cushioned dish packs.

Any large or unusually heavy speakers will simply be padded and placed on the truck.

Servicing is usually not required prior to packing for tape deck, receiver or speakers.

Television

Some large televisions will need to be crated prior to moving day. Let your moving
professional know if you have a big screen or plasma television.

Call your local cable company to request your service discontinued. If you have
a converter box, return the box and keep the receipt for future reference. Contact
your cable company at your destination to order service in your new home.

When choosing a location for your TV in your new home, place it on a hard surface
at least six feet from your normal viewing position. Most TVs should not be placed
in an enclosed space unless proper ventilation is provided.

DVD or VCR

No special servicing is required to move a DVD or VCR. When installing at destination,
place on a hard surface, provide appropriate ventilation for openings and do not
set objects on top.

Satellite Dish

Contact an electrician or technician from a satellite dish distributorship for the
disconnection and disassembly of this sensitive equipment. Depending upon the construction
and size of the unit, it may need to be crated, a service which your moving professional
can provide.

Compact Discs, Tapes and Records

Stand compact discs and records on edge, never flat, on a layer of crushed paper.
Support at both ends with large, hardcover books or several pieces of cardboard
cut to fit. Top with another layer of crushed paper. Identify contents on the outside
of the box and mark, "FRAGILE."

Cassette tapes should be placed in their cases and wrapped individually in crumpled
paper. Place individual tapes either vertically or horizontally on a couple of layers
of crushed paper.

If records are not in jackets, wrap individually in tissue paper or plastic wrap
to protect from scratches. Records are heavy and therefore should be packed in small
cartons.

Books

Pack books of the same general size together, in small book cartons.

Pack them either flat, or with the spine touching the bottom of the carton. Do not
pack with spine facing upward, as glue can break away from the binder.

Expensively bound volumes or those of sentimental value should be individually wrapped
before packing.

Photographs

Family photographs, videos, slides and negatives should be packed in separate cartons
rather than being combined with other household items.

(Note: watch these when moving to very hot or humid climates by making sure
the storage area protects items from the elements.)

Protect framed photos with padding and cushioning, standing them on edge in a carton.
Label cartons for easy identification.

If possible, carry irreplaceable items with you to destination.

Silk or Artificial Flowers

An arrangement of artificial flowers should be packed in a separate carton. Wrap
carefully in plastic wrap, tissue paper or paper towels. If possible, fasten the
base of the floral piece to the bottom of the carton to prevent shifting. Label
the carton "FRAGILE - THIS SIDE UP."

Lamp Bases

After removing the light bulb and lamp harp, wrap the base, harp and bulb separately
in newsprint. Place them together in a carton, filling voids with wadded paper.

Lamp Shades

Never wrap lamp shades in newspaper, as the ink will soil the shade. Instead, carefully
wrap each shade in three or four sheets of tissue paper, a pillowcase or a large
lightweight towel.

Use a sturdy carton at least two inches bigger all around than the largest shade.
Line it with clean paper, using crushed paper under the lamp shade to create a protective
layer, but not around the shade. A smaller shade may be nested inside a larger one,
provided they do not touch. Only one silk shade should be placed in a carton to
avoid stretching the silk.

Chandeliers and Leaded Glass Shades

It's best to consult with your moving professional about custom-made cartons and
crates for items of this kind. Paper should never be permitted to touch the surface
of an oil painting.

Rugs

Leave area rugs on the floor for the moving company to handle.

You may want to consider having your area rugs professionally cleaned before your
move - you'll get them back from the cleaners wrapped, rolled and ready for shipping.

Area rugs should be loaded last and unloaded first so the furniture coming off the
truck can go right on top of the rug.

TV Stand/ Stereo Cabinet

Remove glass doors if possible and pack in a mirror carton.

Furniture

Your van operator will shrink wrap large, upholstered items.

Talk to your moving professional beforehand about any leather items.

Table corners can be protected with cardboard.

You may want to consider packing couch pillows in large boxes.

Piano

A qualified service provider should take care of the preparations for moving a grand
or baby grand piano.

Upright (spinet, console, studio) pianos usually do not require preparation in advance.
All pianos are pad-wrapped to protect the surface.

Plan to have your piano tuned at your new home.

Pool Table

Disassembly and crating of your pool table should be provided by a third-party service.
If possible, contact the store where the pool table was purchased to obtain assistance.

Crating is a possibility on slate.

You will need to make arrangements at destination to have the pool table uncrated,
reassembled and leveled.

Using Packing Tips for the Living Room

The living room packing tips are guidelines to help you in your packing and moving efforts. At Allied, we believe that your belongings deserve the same care - whether being packed by you or professionals